RE Log Fall 2019

32 Ransom Everglades LOG FALL 2019 Ransom Everglades offered a host of tributes to retiring faculty members Jean Duty and Shelly Stamler as the 2018-19 school year came to a close, sending them into retirement with a mix of gratitude, well wishes and quite a few tears. Faculty, staff and administration assembled to honor Duty and Stamler along with other long- serving and departing members of the RE community during an end-of-year recognition event in the Lewis Family Auditorium June 7, 2019. That came a day after the pair were feted at an alumni event at the Pagoda that drew several dozen grateful alumni, former trustees and friends. “Jean Duty is the sort of teacher you can build a school around,” Head of School Penny Townsend said. “Shelly is the sort of person who can carry a school on her shoulders. Both of them have brought to their careers a love of teaching, a love of adolescents and a love for Ransom Everglades. They have earned the respect of their colleagues and the gratitude of our parents. Their former students adore them.” Duty, the chair of the math and computer science department, stepped down after a 34-year career during which she won the Arthur Moses Faculty Award, engaged in mathematical research at Florida International University, helped author a textbook with fellow faculty member Henry Stavisky ’85 , and gave the commencement address at the Class of 2019 graduation. A team of RE friends and colleagues – Penny Matthews, Stavisky, Ginny Onorati and John King – offered a joint tribute. Stamler, Assistant Head of the Middle School and Academic Dean, retired after 16 years as a full-time employee, having taught English and study skills, served as an advisor, orchestrated St. Alban’s Day and helped implement many programmatic improvements at the RE Middle School over the years. She was introduced by Head of the Middle School Rachel Rodriguez, who offered an emotional tribute that concluded with the reading of the poem “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou. Stamler was also honored with a hilarious video produced by drama students, and Duty was treated to a standing ovation from an entire floor of the science and math building after her final class. Head of School Penny Townsend also recognized Spanish teacher Cristi Edmunds ’86 , who is stepping aside from teaching after 22 years to enjoy more time with daughter Preston Edmunds ’20 , her third and final child at RE (along with Ande ’18 and Myles ’16 ). Cristi Edmunds coached cheerleading, basketball and softball during her Ransom Everglades career and was introduced by fellow Spanish teacher Bobbie Bassuk. Head of the Upper School Ken Mills, who accepted the post of Head of School for the Gifft Hill School in St. John, V.I., after six years at RE, also received a tribute from Townsend. A number of faculty and staff received Length of Service Awards. Math teacher Ginny Onorati was celebrated for 45 years at RE; Duty for 35; math teacher John Lewis and art history teacher Jose Rodriguez for 30; and Stavisky for 20. On Campus A Fond Farewell RE says emotional goodbye to Jean Duty and Shelly Stamler “Mrs. Duty’s love of teaching, mathematics and helping her students made me look forward to her class each and every day. I loved her mentorship so much I’d spend lunches and free periods at her office, discuss- ing the art of learning and how to bravely follow my deepest passions.” – Stephanie Figueroa ’09 “Mrs. Stamler’s enthusiasm for teaching was infectious. Every day you inspired me to work my hardest and be the best classmate I could be. Even at Duke, it’s hard to find a teacher who cares so deeply for his or her students.” – Owen Zighelboim ’16 “I wish both Mrs. Stamler and Mrs. Duty all the best! They both have had such wonder- ful careers with Ransom Everglades, and I want to thank them for everything they have contributed to our school.” – Max Grad ’13 “Jean Duty was by far the best math teacher I have ever had. No teacher for any subject that I’ve taken through college has even come close!” – Chloe Treaster ’13 Cristi Edmunds ’86 , Penny Townsend Shelley Stamler, Jean Duty